These childhood sweethearts celebrated in style with a rustic outside wedding. Our WED2B Real Weddings feature reveals more:

Allan and Melanie met in September 2008 when they were just 16 and in their school sixth form. “He wore skinny black jeans and Converse and I’m sure I had my hair in plaits!” laughs Melanie. “10 years and a baby later, we are finally married!”

A confetti shot at Melanie and Allan's outside wedding

The big question

Allan proposed on Boxing Day 2017 exactly where the couple had decided, as 16-year-olds, that they would be boyfriend and girlfriend. “We walked there early one morning when no one was around, and he got down on one knee,” says Melanie. “I had an inkling he was going to do it!”

Shopping for The Dress

Melanie visited WED2B’s Nottingham store. "Rose at the store was so helpful,” she says. “She knew exactly what I wanted. I only went to this one store and found my dress within just five attempts. I chose Camilla with the Nova belt, Safia headpiece and Saffron veil. Rose put together the whole outfit and I was absolutely astounded by how well she dressed my body shape and how beautiful I felt. The dress was so flattering and I have never felt more like a princess in my life!”

Melanie in Anna Sorrano Camilla for her outside wedding

A beautiful outside wedding

The couple married in The Walled Garden at Beeston Fields on Friday 2nd August 2019. “It was the beautiful garden that we loved,” says Melanie. “We wanted an outside wedding and luckily the weather was gorgeous! It was also local to us and we could have both the ceremony and the reception there too. We ate and danced all night in the marquee, which was beautifully lit up.”

A moving ceremony

The theme for the day was rustic with touches of lavender and hessian. “We had hessian table runners and jars,” says Melanie. “There was also wheat and lavender in the bouquets. My Dad walked me down the aisle to ‘I Get to Love You’ by Ruelle. I’m his firstborn so I think he had a tear in his eye! Our baby girl also decided to scream throughout the ceremony but luckily there were lots of people on hand to help.”

Melanie and Allan at their outside wedding

Happy memories…

“The whole day was memorable but some parts stand out more than others, including everyone on stage stripping off to the Baywatch soundtrack!” says Melanie. “The most memorable moment was finally being announced as husband and wife after being childhood sweethearts.”

My top tips…

“Just enjoy every second, as it’s the quickest day of your life,” says Melanie. “Also, don’t let nerves overtake you. And take as many photos as possible!”

Melanie’s Dream Team:

Photographer: Harry Ward Photography (harryjward.com)

Venue: The Walled Garden at Beeston Fields (walledgardennottingham.co.uk)

Cake - Glitter & Sparkle Cakes (07505 547750)

Flowers: Stems from the Heart (facebook.com/stemsfromtheheart)

Band/DJ: Richie Muir (richiemuir.com)

Hair and Makeup: Dana Beau (facebook.com/beauhairdana)

If you would like your big day to be one of our real weddings please click here to share your story and photos with us and we’ll be in touch.